Governor Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne

EDWARD F. DUNNE, Illinois’ twenty-sixth governor, was born in Waterville, Connecticut, on October 12, 1853. His education was attained through the public school system in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from Union College (Northwestern University today) in 1877, where he earned a law degree. Dunne entered public service in 1892, as judge of Cook County circuit court, a position he held until 1905. He also was a two-term mayor of Chicago, serving from 1905 to 1907. Dunne won the 1912 Democratic gubernatorial nomination and was sworn into the governor’s office on February 3, 1913. During his tenure, a bipartisan committee was formed to oversee regulations on public utilities, and a bill was enacted that permitted cities and localities to secure electric and gas plants. After losing his reelection bid, Dunne left office on January 8, 1917. In 1930, he was granted an appointment to serve as attorney for the Cook County Board of Election Commissioners. Dunne, who authored a five-volume set on Illinois History in 1933, passed away on May 24, 1937. He was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.